Agree; a whole bag of potatoes still costs less than one can of Prog potato soup.
I also experienced a 25% lower price at my local Aldi for an identical can of store-brand chili vs an Aldi in a more prosperous area 10 miles away. That is wacky.
I spent $60 at Aldi a few weeks back, prior to their big price increases. Was stocking the ‘Emergency Pantry’ with essentials, just in case. Glad I did! (It’s an 80 mile round trip, so I only go a few times a year.)
What’s going to be the PITA in all of this is finding the cheapest places to buy ‘this-n-that.’ I have TWO local choices - Walmart or Piggly Wiggly.
Don’t know if you remember or ever read any of Amy Dacyczyn newsletters (now books) back in the day, ‘The Tightwad Gazette’ but it might be time to keep Price Books, again!
https://frugalcarrie.com/2021/11/14/what-happened-to-amy-dacyczyn/